AltWeeklies Wire
Seriously Funny Parody Rules Graham Rawle's 'Woman's World'new
Graham Rawle's Woman's World is an astonishing concept novel that's not only about the powers of obsession but also, it seems, a product of them. It looks like a book-length ransom note. But it's far more than an elaborate stunt: as soon becomes clear to the reader, Woman's World is a first-rate piece of comedic art.
The Georgia Straight |
Brian Lynch |
02-09-2009 |
Fiction
It's Time to Reread Gore Vidal's Enduring Lincolnnew
A reappraisal of Gore Vidal's 1984 novel about the 16th president, in his bicentennial year.
New Scott Pilgrim!! Squee!!new
Everybody loves Scott Pilgrim—and if they don't, it's only because they haven't met him yet.
The Portland Mercury |
Alison Hallett |
02-05-2009 |
Fiction
Paging Dr. Bearclaw: Josh Bazell’s Debut Novelnew
Mash up the best scenes of Dexter, House and The Sopranos, and Beat the Reaper is what you get.
San Diego CityBeat |
Michael Benninger |
02-04-2009 |
Fiction
'Contagious' is Not a Typical Sci-Fi Novelnew
Scott Sigler has created a fan base with his serial podcasts of sci-fi/horror novels. Now Contagious promises to spread his scary stuff among traditional readers.
Sacramento News & Review |
Kel Munger |
01-15-2009 |
Fiction
'People Of The Book': Like 'The Da Vinci Code' by Someone Who Can Actually Writenew
The two stories certainly have a lot of the same elements: a holy book with an untold story, a rare-book expert with plucky, unconventional methods who causes everyone a lot of trouble, and a whole lot of history. But People of the Book is actually for people who like books.
Willamette Week |
Michael Kimber |
01-15-2009 |
Fiction
'Death with Interruptions' Looks at the Cost of Immortalitynew
Descriptions of Jose Saramago's literary voice might sound dull and heavy-handed, and his pages might look more like a chore than a pleasure. Yet when you sit to read Death with Interruptions, you feel you are cutting through all the unnecessary formalities, and getting to the real meat of the story.
Charleston City Paper |
Michael Lucero |
12-21-2008 |
Fiction
Dame Darcy Plays with Her Dolls in 'Gasoline'new
Gasoline is essentially an illustrated novel: Drawings accompany the text, but they're not integral to the story, pushing Dame Darcy's prose into the spotlight in a way that Meatcake does not -- and unfortunately, the writing simply isn't sophisticated enough to take center stage.
The Portland Mercury |
Allison Hallett |
12-19-2008 |
Fiction
J.K. Rowling Raids the Hogwarts Library with 'Beedle'new
If the phrases "Translated from the ancient runes by Hermione Granger" and "Commentary by Albus Dumbledore" don't get your Hedwig-emblazoned Underoos in a twist, we might as well cut to the chase: The Tales of Beedle the Bard probably isn't for you (and you're also probably a joyless, dour ass, but that's beside the point).
The Portland Mercury |
Erik Henriksen |
12-12-2008 |
Fiction
'The Bible Salesman' is a Rollicking Readnew
Borrowing Scriptural tropes and themes from Southern literature and folklore, Clyde Edgerton weaves a wryly amusing Southern gothic tale about faith, the perils of gullibility and optimism and the ever-present temptation of evil.
NOW Magazine |
David Jager |
11-17-2008 |
Fiction
'The Dart League King' is Surprising and Compellingnew
Keith Lee Morris' second book takes place entirely at a championship darts match on a single night in Idaho, in June of 2007. Surprisingly for such a narrowly focused work, it is as compelling a novel as I've read all year.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
11-14-2008 |
Fiction
'The Boys in the Trees' Speaks of Small Town Tragedynew
For readers raised on the quick paced, urban true crime rhythm of Law & Order, Swan's book may often feel like a slow, dry read. But this is a short, subtle and ultimately searing book.
Montreal Mirror |
Juliet Waters |
11-07-2008 |
Fiction
'The Wasted Vigil' Offers a Hopeful Tragedynew
Wasted Vigil is not a book about Afghanistan, but of love. Author Nadeem Aslam creates a romantic and hopeful tragedy, where the odds more often than not overcome his characters. And yet, no amount of tragedy and suffering can eradicate the hope that continues to persist.
Charleston City Paper |
Augustine Kim |
11-05-2008 |
Fiction
'Red Dog' is Truly a Poet's Novelnew
I love it when poets take on a sprawling narrative, plumping up sentences with images so striking you feel like taking out your highlighter.
NOW Magazine |
Zoe Whittall |
11-03-2008 |
Fiction
'Through Black Spruce' is a Muscular Novel Worthy of All the Hypenew
Joseph Boyden's second novel is stunning at being a million things at once, but at heart it's a page-turning campfire story told by one person to another in hushed tones, heartbeat to heartbeat.
NOW Magazine |
Zoe Whittall |
11-03-2008 |
Fiction
